A ruined Hogwarts

Christmas is approaching, and there is heavy snow in the sky. The grounds outside the castle and the frozen black lake were covered with a thick layer of snow, and the biting cold wind penetrated into the castle along the window cracks.

Dumbledore has disappeared for three weeks, which has caused many students to notice something unusual. Although Dumbledore does not often appear in school, his presence has always been a source of confidence for students, giving students the courage to attend classes as normal despite the threat of the heir. Ever since rumors began to circulate in Hogwarts that something had happened to the principal, the campus had become panic-stricken.

When the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, came to look for Dumbledore with great fanfare but left in despair, the secret uneasiness finally broke out.

The students began to make wild guesses. Some people optimistically insisted that Dumbledore was just busy with something important. Hufflepuff's Ernie Macmillan was always trying to make everyone believe that Dumbledore had received the goblin's request and was busy dealing with it. A swarm of biting cabbages from the East to prevent them from eating all of Gringotts. "It will probably be another two weeks before he comes back," he said.

Some people pessimistically believe that Dumbledore may have a physical problem due to his age, and some even think that the principal fell into the trap of the heir and was plotted by the insidious Potter. After all, he was always willing to believe that Potter was innocent. .

Although professors used many methods to stop students from thinking wildly, panic still spread in the school. In fact, several professors were a little absent-minded during class. Only Gilderoy Lockhart remained cheerful all day long, and his shining teeth seemed to blind people.

It wasn't until the professors assigned a lot of homework after class that the students finally didn't have the heart to worry about these things amidst the cries and cries. The homework alone was enough for them to worry about.

Fortunately, there have been no new attacks in schools during these days, which makes many people feel a little more at ease. But as the Christmas holidays approach, students are still scrambling to book seats on the Hogwarts Express, looking forward to going home for Christmas.

Owen had no intention of going home, but the Shafiqs wrote him several letters solemnly, hoping that he could go home this holiday. Owen always felt that his parents were trying to trick him, but he still reluctantly signed the list to go home.

Naturally, it was impossible for Harry to go home for the holidays. For some reason, Draco also planned to stay in school. According to him, he "wanted to spend a different Christmas at Hogwarts." Crabbe and Goyle stayed with him, and Blaise didn't plan to go home. Only Daphne and Pansy went back.

Harry's gloomy mood rarely improved, because he didn't have to stay alone in school for Christmas like last year. With a group of friends accompanying him, he thought it would be a good festival.

In the Slytherin common room, the young wizards were whispering excitedly, and the buzz of conversation filled the whole room.

Owen sat elegantly and leisurely in the armchair in front of the fireplace. A quill automatically moved quickly across the parchment on the table, writing a paper on transfiguration in beautiful fonts. He was holding a piece of old and yellowed parchment in his hand, and he was carefully watching the small black dots with names coming and going in the complex and tortuous map.

He was observing the movements of Peter Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew, who turned into a mouse, has stayed at Hogwarts since his last escape. According to Owen's daily observations, Peter hid in the rat's nest inside the wall for a long time and went to the kitchen to steal food from time to time. But since there were so many house elves in the kitchen at all times, he didn't dare stay there much longer.

Owen only observed the other person from time to time, but did not find that he was in contact with anyone. Of course, he couldn't stare at each other for a long time, and he had a lot of things to do of his own.

He stared at Peter Pettigrew, intending to do something after the Christmas holidays. His script has been completed, and some people should learn a lesson.

As for why it wasn't implemented before the Christmas break - well, what if the students are too scared to come back after the break and Hogwarts is closed? That would not be conducive to the learning and growth of the little wizards. Owen has always been concerned about children's education, yes, that's it.

In the midst of impetuous expectations, finally, the semester is over. Early in the morning, students stepped on the heavy snow and rushed onto the train home.

Owen, Daphne, and other girls were sitting in a box, lazily sucking on a sugar quill, stroking Melete's soft and warm hair with one hand, and looking at the vast snowy scenery passing by outside the window.

Daphne and Pansy chatted happily, arguing about which band was better, which celebrity wizard was more handsome, or the most popular styles of dresses and accessories. When a group of little girls get together, there is always endless topics to talk about.

"Owen, which color bow do you think is more beautiful?" Daphne and Pansy couldn't convince the other, so they finally patted Owen's arm and asked.

Owen withdrew his gaze from the scenery outside the window, glanced at the four red, pink, purple and green bow headbands in Daphne's hand, and said casually: "Green."

"Look, am I right?" Pansy raised her eyebrows proudly and put the green bow headband on Daphne's head.

"Okay, although I prefer purple recently." Daphne smoothed her long golden hair, pulled it into a somewhat playful lady bun, and then smiled at Owen. The cold white sunshine in winter cast a hazy and beautiful halo around her.

Soon, the train arrived at King's Cross Station. A group of people got off the train, said goodbye to each other, and walked to their families.

"It's been a while since I last saw you, you have become more beautiful, mother." Owen said to Ms. Adeline who was waiting for him on the platform, smiling and handing over a delicate and blooming white rose.

"You have become glib, Owen." Adeline smiled slightly, took the flowers and held them in her hands, speaking in a soft and gentle voice. She was wearing a dark green velvet robe and a small dark hat on her head, giving her an elegant and elegant look.

She propped up her knees with one hand, leaned over and touched Melete's head, and said hello to her with a smile. Melete meowed and circled around her, rubbing her head affectionately on her calf.

"What are you doing, Dad?" Owen carried his suitcase and walked side by side with his mother outside the platform. He had put on a simple dark blue robe and a black fur-edged cloak, and the cold wind blowing in his face made the cloak rustle.

"I'm going to take care of some minor business matters." Ms. Adeline glanced at him with a smile and moved her eyes to his somewhat short cuffs. "It looks like I have to customize some new robes for you."

Owen smiled and nodded. He is now growing taller, and newly made clothes always quickly become ill-fitting.

Nyx poked his head out of his pocket, glanced at Ms. Adeline arrogantly with his bright red eyes, opened and closed his bright black beak, and chirped at her. Owen felt its emotions. It was proud and reserved but not repulsive. It seemed that Ms. Adeline was quite popular with the animals.

"This is this?" Adeline said funnyly, looking at Nyx's bird head that had just sprouted tufts of down.

"My new bird." Owen stuffed Nicks into his pocket with some disgust, so as not to irritate the guy's eyes. During this time, Nyx began to grow feathers, and fine quills appeared on his wings. His body was covered with a layer of sparse black fluff, making him look even uglier.

"What bird?" Adeline raised her eyebrows. She knew that Owen preferred cats, and only kept magic pigeons because he always wanted to do tricks.

"A mutated phoenix." Owen didn't intend to hide it, and told the situation about Nyx.

He saw his mother's eyes suddenly brighten up, staring intensely at the pocket where Nyx was, showing a very interested expression. Not an interest in interesting pets, but an interest in cherishing experimental materials.

Nyx shrank into his pocket in response, and let out a sharp but not harsh chirp angrily.

"Hogwarts has not been peaceful these past six months." Ms. Adeline looked away with a smile and said pointedly, "How long has it been since Dumbledore showed up?"

"More than twenty days." Owen replied calmly.

"What do you think...?" Adeline stared at him quietly with her deep and beautiful dark green eyes. She knew that Owen was close to Harry Potter, and Harry was Dumbledore's valued student, so she might know more information.

"I feel... not very good. He didn't tell anyone where he went, nor did he notify Harry to cancel the class, or even send his phoenix back to deliver the message." Owen frowned slightly, "So I think The situation is not optimistic, but the possibility of coming back cannot be ruled out.”

He didn't know what Dumbledore's condition was now. He had originally been inclined to believe that the curse on Dumbledore had completely broken out, but according to Harry, Dumbledore had simply disappeared. That's right, if Dumbledore died, neither the professors in the school nor the Ministry of Magic would be so calm.

"In other words, there is a possibility that he will never come back again?" Adeline lowered her eyes slightly and squeezed the roses in her hand.

Although Dumbledore stayed at Hogwarts all year round and did not like to dictate matters outside the school, his status destined his every move to have a huge impact, and his recent disappearance shocked the world. event. Although the outside world did not characterize his disappearance as a disappearance, many places were about to turn upside down.

"As far as I know, he should have been struck by a terrible curse." Owen said truthfully. "He may have gone to seek medical advice, or maybe..." He did not go on, and Ms. Adeline also Nodding knowingly.

"It seems that the situation in the magic world is about to change." Adeline said with a sigh.

"Any ideas at home?" Owen asked.

"Just wait and see what happens." Adeline smiled slightly. She always maintained an elegant and calm attitude. "Your father doesn't have much ambition. What we care more about is, do you think Hogwarts is still safe now?"

"It's okay." Owen smiled.

"If I remember correctly, Peter Pettigrew also disappeared from Hogwarts a few days ago." Adeline glanced at him.

"He escaped on his own." Owen pondered for a moment and explained the fact that Peter Pettigrew was the betrayer.

Ms. Adeline showed a rare look of surprise. She held her chin with one hand and said with a half-smile: "It seems that he has deceived everyone... Although your father and I have long suspected that there is something wrong with him, we still Who would have thought that Sirius Black would have no excuse for the crime that was imposed on him?"

"What I'm even more curious about is, why did Peter Pettigrew decide to come back after hiding for so many years?" Adeline said thoughtfully, "He even went to Dumbledore's territory to take action against Harry Potter... …”

Owen glanced at his mother. She was always so sharp and discovered the most fundamental problem so quickly.

"So, it seems that the Dark Lord is really not dead?" Adeline bit her lips with brown-red lipstick and said with a solemn expression, "Is he plotting to regain his power, or is he already dead?" You have recovered and are you secretly preparing for a comeback?"

Although the vast majority of people in the wizarding world are willing and convinced to believe that Voldemort is dead, a few people still believe that the Dark Lord cannot be dead. He is just hiding in the dark and watching covetously, plotting a comeback.

"In this case, it would be very fishy for Dumbledore to disappear at this juncture." She frowned slightly.

"Yes, it seems that things will not be peaceful in the future." Owen agreed.

The two returned to Shafiq Manor. The vast lawn and frozen lake in the manor were covered with snow. The endless snow scene was monotonous and lonely, but it also had a magnificent beauty.

After the family had dinner, Ms. Adeline went to discuss matters with Mr. Albert, while Owen returned to his room, lay on the bed with a faint floral scent, and fell asleep early.

On Christmas Day, Owen received a lot of Christmas gifts, and it took a long time just to open the gift boxes. Among them, Harry gave him a pair of gorgeous and exquisite crackling exploding cards, Blaise gave him a bunch of singing flowers, Draco gave him a large string of special fireworks, and Daphne gave him a scarf.

Luna gave him a gorgeous Christmas hat. The top was a Christmas tree covered with lights and ribbons, and a shining golden star hung on top. From time to time, colored smoke puffs out from a circle of small pumpkin decorations hanging on the brim of the hat, making a funny "puff" sound.

This is a hat that will make him the focus of everyone's attention, Irving said this. Although this gift, which looked like it was handmade, was very thoughtful, he did not have the courage to wear the hat outside.

In addition to these, there were many other gifts piled miscellaneously on the floor.

The family spent a simple and warm Christmas, and the next day they went shopping in Diagon Alley all morning. Diagon Alley is also shrouded in the joyful atmosphere of Christmas. A gorgeous stage has been set up at the entrance of the alley. Bands and troupes take turns performing on stage, and the surroundings are crowded with tourists watching.

After Christmas, life in the manor returned to its usual peace and tranquility.

At this time in the past, Shafiq and his wife should have gone on vacation, but Owen could only pretend not to see his father secretly winking at his wife from time to time. Whenever this happened, Ms. Adeline would show a helpless smile, and look at Owen who had a panoramic view of the scene. It was obvious that she no longer had any hope in Mr. Albert's confidentiality work.

Owen knew what they were doing secretly, and they just wanted to give him a scare or teach him a lesson, so that he would have a longer memory, so that he would not have too much self-confidence and take risks... Mr. Albert just couldn't hide things in his heart. , or in other words, he didn't want to hide too much from Irving.

However, their plan was still not carried out. On the third day after Christmas, an owl delivered today's Daily Prophet. The large photo on the first page of the newspaper was of a black tower standing on a deserted hillside, with black gauze flying all over the sky around the tower.

The front-page headline read: “The End of an Old Age: The Black Veil Raised in Nurmengard.”

"Yesterday, with Nurmengard Wizarding Prison as the center, a black veil covering the sky covered the surrounding area of ​​one hundred square miles.

"As we all know, the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald has been imprisoned on the top floor of Nurmengard Prison since his defeat at the hands of Albus Dumbledore in 1945. After fifty years, it represents The black veil of the Wu Cui Party floated again, causing a lot of panic.

"Aurors from the Austrian Ministry of Magic and investigators from the International Federation of Wizards jointly entered Nurmengard and confirmed that the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald died on the top floor of the tower. There were no signs of invasion at the scene and he died of natural causes.

"The death of Grindelwald has brought a complete end to the war-torn old era, and all ambitions and sins have gone away. We don't need to panic about the darkness of the past, the future is full of light.

"Gellert Grindelwald will be buried in Nurmengard Prison early this morning..."

Owen read the report thoughtfully, and various speculations surged in his mind. Will Grindelwald die of natural causes at this time? Funny?

He looked at his parents. Mr. Albert sighed softly, while Ms. Adeline fell into a long silence, with a hint of sadness and nostalgia on her expression.

"I'm going to Austria." After a while, Adeline stood up and said.

"Ah, I'll go with you." Mr. Albert picked up his hat and put it on his head.

"I'll go too." Owen said with interest.

The Shafiqs looked at Owen for a while and did not object. The family entered a dim but luxurious room through the fireplace, took a badge door key from an old wizard, and entered Austria directly through it.

Owen followed his parents and apparated to a desolate mountain forest. Ms. Adeline clasped her fist in front of her chest and looked in a certain direction from a distance, as if she had turned into a beautiful sculpture. He looked in the direction where his mother was looking. There was nothing there, just a stretch of desolate rolling mountains.

There seemed to be a faint burst of apparition in the distance, and there seemed to be a few more figures in the forest, but it seemed like it was just an illusion.

After standing silently in the ice and snow for a long time, Ms. Adeline took her husband's arm, took Owen's hand with a smile, and the three of them left here together.

After spending a few days in the country, the family did not return to Shafiq Manor until the end of the Christmas vacation.